This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
Standing in the darkness
Waiting for the light
The smell of pure adrenaline
Burning in the night
Random blinding flashes
Aiming at the stage
Intro tape begins to roll
Igniting sonic rage
Still they keep me between these hollow walls
Hoping to find in me
The answers to the test that stumped them all
"The boy is just simply crazy
Suffering from delusions
We honestly think that maybe
He might need an institution
He lives in a world of fiction
And really could use some help
We have just the place to fix him
To save him from himself"
Curled up in the darkness
Searching of the light
The smell of sweat and shit
Steaming through the night
Random urine testing
Pills red, pink and blue
Counseling and therapy
Providing not a clue
Still they keep me between these hollow walls
Hoping to find in me
The answers to the test that stumped them all
"We can't seem to find the answers
He seemed such a clear cut case
We cannot just let him leave here
And put all this work to waste
Why don't we try shock treatment
It really might do some help
We have just the tools to fix him
To save him from himself"
Waiting for the light
The smell of pure adrenaline
Burning in the night
Random blinding flashes
Aiming at the stage
Intro tape begins to roll
Igniting sonic rage
Still they keep me between these hollow walls
Hoping to find in me
The answers to the test that stumped them all
"The boy is just simply crazy
Suffering from delusions
We honestly think that maybe
He might need an institution
He lives in a world of fiction
And really could use some help
We have just the place to fix him
To save him from himself"
Curled up in the darkness
Searching of the light
The smell of sweat and shit
Steaming through the night
Random urine testing
Pills red, pink and blue
Counseling and therapy
Providing not a clue
Still they keep me between these hollow walls
Hoping to find in me
The answers to the test that stumped them all
"We can't seem to find the answers
He seemed such a clear cut case
We cannot just let him leave here
And put all this work to waste
Why don't we try shock treatment
It really might do some help
We have just the tools to fix him
To save him from himself"
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This is definitely one of the more difficult degrees of inner turbulence to place. It seems to me the song is describing schizophrenia (please don't confuse schizophrenia with dissociative identity disorder, or "multiple personalities"). My clues are lines like 'suffering from delusions' and 'he lives in a world of fiction.' Anyone else have any ideas?
This song helped me face the fact that I indeed am schizo....the world revolves around me answering some godly question that's only bestowed to me. I have feelings of grandeur and entitlement. Just before I wrote this response I woke up in a cold sweat looking up at men in white coats.....I only wish there was a way for me to rid myself of this ego that tries daily to tell me I am better, smarter, faster....when indeed i am far below good....
After extensive research I found out that you are right. if you would've done some more digging you would've had every lyric analyzed. you helped me with my analysis above, thank you and good job.